Hi all,

It has been quite some time since I last posted on here. Collecting came to a halt for me as other interests took lead. However I have been in the shadows!.

I am looking to treat myself for Christmas, and have a pattern missing from my collection. The classic art deco 'lucky' prize style skull ring. I am looking for an original example, with ruby glass eyes, sharp detail and little wear, silver with content markings.

This ring does not have to be a wart time pattern but It would be nice. Pictures below for reference. If any of my old friends can help, please contact me.

Best wishes Sven.

Very cool treat for yourself Svenga. I have a few myself.

Hi Sven ,

The 2nd skull [black background]. We would need more photos inside and out.

First skull [on left] . Thats a hard pattern to find WW2 produced. They've been made before and after and still somewhat today.. *This one from the one photo looks very promising!. The usual, inside shot behind skull, band seam inside and out needed. Sometimes a very faint hallmarks can be seen behind skull on inside.....Does band design go all the way around band?

Hi G, hope you are keeping well..

The pictures were for reference only, although I do have chance to buy these.. The 'promising' example is one of many (the seller is still pressing them as novelty lucky skull rings).

I would just like to find this classic design in silver, marked, preferably war time or pre war, at a push close post war. Ideally with the glass eyes!. I have had chance so many times over the years to obtain it but never took the chance because of how common it is.

If anybody spots one up for grabs give me a nudge.

Just a quick update guys..

I have been offered LOTS of junk.. But nothing good has cropped up yet.

It is actually the pattern below i have now set my heart on, if anybody parts with one or spots one give me a shout..

well, all authentic patterns of 3rd reich era rings have become extremely hard to find... I know many like to specialize in a type,,skulls, Luft, WestWall. I would suggest that IF you see an authentic ring out of your area of specialization , lets say you collect Skulls,,but see a nice WestWall for a very good price to get it! You will be glad you did in the future..

Sven,, yeah thats a very desirable skull pattern . Members,,if you have one you want to move Sven is your man. Also,, lets keep out eyes open for him if we see one for sale.
Happy Hunting guys.......,G

Please see attached pictures..

What do you guys think? Im not liking it.. Awaiting pictures of the markings.

could have plenty of hallmarks,,doesn't matter. That is a postwar ring.. Not even very old at all. Let someone else get that one......

That is a nice-looking ring but I dont like it either. The band looks too thick, especially if it is made of silver. Also, is that a casting flaw on the lower left half of the bone on the fourth photo?

I have a very similar pattern of ring albeit without the jewelled eyes. It is made of silver, with a faint 830 mark inside the band; the band looks thinner than on the one posted.

Cheers,

Stephen

The thick band, and empty space between the skull face and crossbones were big flags. beautiful looking ring however.

Yours is nice Stephen! period pattern from what i have researched so far.

I will share with you all some interesting info on this age old pattern, in the post below.

..

this last post you show an advert for 'Premium Rings', or 'Mens Rings' and even 'Ice Cream' Rings... These ads usually will be seen in some of the mens magazines of the 1950s, 60s 70s , 'Popular Mechanics', Popular science, Argosy, even old 'Sears Roebuck and Wards catalogs under Mens Rings , [pre war and postwar]..

They are patterned after the ring we like to collect. Usually cheaply made, poor detail,,but some are rather nice. But nowhere like our rings we collect.

So close but no cigar as they say.. The DO have value,,and they have increased in value the last few years... I have recommended this book in the past for history and understanding of such rings. The value section is way out of date but still a great book to have and can usually be gotten for under $10!

I highly recommend getting the Overstreet book above. They are inexpensive, and have some good history, information of the rings..

So they were called Premium rings, 'Ice Cream' rings [because you friendly neighborhood ice cream man would give you one after a certain amount of ice cream bought! , 'Soda Pop' rings.. The book shows the high end examples like shown above,,also other weird patterns made during and after the war..


Something like this skull wouldn't fool any of us.. But believe it or not for the guys that collect 'Premium Rings' it has value. There are collectors will pay $10 for something like this!

AND,, something like this Lion head,,and the 'Lucky Horseshoe ring'... The Premium collectors want and pay for them. And thankfully not close to what we collect!

there are newer patterns. 1970s. that the 'P' [premium] collectors love to find..

A 'Flicker ring' called because depending how you hold it you can see 2 images! This one has Captain America and Captain Action,,,,Hot in the 70s! Each with comic books, and some of the first action figures.... And,, the famous 'Rat Fink' ring . This could be unplugged from the ring and worn around the neck or...

Both usually found in the American Gumball machines.! and yes they have value to those in need of them!!

Then every once in the while you will find a bit higher quality P ring..

First this 1838 to 1938 celebration ring. Chicago hall of science,, [maybe for Worlds Fair?],,, This was pressed...

Also this 'AA' , American Airlines stewardess ring! Usually given out to little girls by the airline stewardess, sometimes give out by ticket agent..Also appears to be of pressed construction. And,, again value to the P ring collectors..

every once in a while you'll see something like this.. The P ring collectors go nuts for.. I can only imagine how you got this.. By sending in box tops from your Moms baked goods boxes [?].. It has a price,,99cents for all!! But where you would buy it,,,the 5 and 10 cent store

So we can laugh and have fun looking at these rings..

IF, I see a very inexpensive example I will pick it up.. I have more than once traded for a authentic WW2 rings or have gotten a lead to one by giving one [I paid a dollar or 2] of these 'stars' to a P ring collector